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NZ Navy Elects New Chief of Navy

Commodore John Martin has been selected as the next chief of New Zealand Navy, replacing Rear Admiral Jack Steer who will retire on 30 November.

New Zealand Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee made the announcement on 1 September.

CDRE Martin joined the Royal NZ Navy as a radar plotter in 1979 and has had a wide variety of roles, including command of HMNZS TE KAHA from 2001 until August 2003. He is at present Assistant Chief Capability for the NZ Defense Force and prior to that he was Maritime Component Commander.

Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee said:

The role of a Service Chief in the NZDF is to raise, train and sustain their Service. It is a vital position, and underpins what both the Service and the Defense Force do for both government and the public of New Zealand.

The change of command will take place in a ceremony at Devonport Naval Base on November 30 .